mean
1 of 4verb
ˈmēn 
meant ˈment ; meaning ˈmē-niŋ
; meaning ˈmē-niŋ transitive verb
1
a
: to have in the mind as a purpose : intend
she means to win
—sometimes used interjectionally with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis he throws, I mean, hard
or to introduce a phrase restating the point of a preceding phrase we try to answer what we can, but I mean we're not God—
Bobbie Ann Mason
Bobbie Ann Mason b
: to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future
I was meant to teach
2
: to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate : signify
a red sky means rain
3
: to have importance to the degree of
health means everything
4
: to direct to a particular individual
His criticism was meant for all of us.
intransitive verb
: to have an intended purpose
he means well
meaner
ˈmē-nər
noun mean
2 of 4adjective (1)
ˈmēn
1
: lacking distinction or eminence : humble
2
: lacking in mental discrimination : dull
3
a
: of poor, shabby, or inferior quality or status
mean city streets
b
: worthy of little regard : contemptible —often used in negative constructions as a term of praise
no mean feat
4
: lacking dignity or honor : base
a mean motive
5
a
: penurious, stingy
He's very mean with his money.
b
: characterized by petty selfishness or malice
a mean surly man
c
: causing trouble or bother : vexatious
a mean soil to work
d
: excellent, effective
plays a mean trumpet
a lean, mean athlete
6
: ashamed sense 1b
His ready cooperation made me feel mean for what I had said.
meanness
ˈmēn-nəs
noun mean
3 of 4adjective (2)
ˈmēn
1
: occupying a middle position : intermediate in space, order, time, kind, or degree
2
: occupying a position about midway between extremes
especially : being the mean of a set of values : average
the mean temperature
3
: serving as a means : intermediary
mean
4 of 4noun
ˈmēn
1
a(1)
: something intervening or intermediate
(2)
: a middle point between extremes
b
: a value that lies within a range of values and is computed according to a prescribed law: such as
(1)
: arithmetic mean
(2)
: expected value
c
: either of the middle two terms of a proportion
2
means plural in form but singular or plural in construction : something useful or helpful to a desired end
3
means plural : resources available for disposal
especially : material resources affording a secure life
Synonyms
Verb
- denote
- express
- import
- intend
- signify
- spell
Adjective (1)
- baseborn
- common
- humble
- ignoble
- inferior
- low
- low-life
- lowborn
- lower-class
- lowly
- lumpen
- plebeian
- prole
- proletarian
- unwashed
- vulgar
Adjective (2)
- average
- intermediate
- median
- medium
- middle
- middling
- midsize
- midsized
- moderate
- modest
Noun
- golden mean
- medium
- middle
- middle ground
- midpoint
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The season of backyard barbecues and lakeside cookouts is at hand, which in most parts of the country means an orgy of grilled steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs lasting until Labor Day and beyond. —R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 5 June 2002 Even the water in the cave was free from surface contamination … which meant that all the water now in Lechugilla percolated into the cave before the widespread nuclear bomb testing of the 1940s … —Jon Krakauer, Air & Space, October/November 1995 Home meant my father, with kind eyes, songs, and tense recitations for my brother and myself. —Gwendolyn Brooks, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1993 The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now. Red means “stop” and green means “go.” Can you tell me what my dream means? What was meant by the poet? Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context. He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment. It's a very easy question. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should be able to answer it. She's not getting any thinner, if you know what I mean. She says she didn't mean anything by what she did. I don't trust him. He means no good. Adjective (1) For thirty years he had been a ruthless litigator, the meanest, nastiest, and without a doubt one of the most effective courtroom brawlers in Chicago. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995 … the streets of Spanish Harlem are meaner than when he left them, and they're pulling him back in. —Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 1993 … what you discover is the one with the tail was old mean landlord Mr. prosperous Prospero who wielded without thought of God or man the merry old cat-o'-nine-tails … —Darryl Pinckney, Times Literary Supplement, 23 Aug. 1991 Creighton Abrams was a tanker, according to George Patton the meanest tanker the Germans had faced in the whole U.S. Third Army, and he had a temper that matched the fearsome machines he loved. —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988 Noun Take all these temperatures and calculate their mean. trying to find a golden mean between doing too little and doing too much See More
R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 5 June 2002 Even the water in the cave was free from surface contamination … which meant that all the water now in Lechugilla percolated into the cave before the widespread nuclear bomb testing of the 1940s … —Jon Krakauer, Air & Space, October/November 1995 Home meant my father, with kind eyes, songs, and tense recitations for my brother and myself. —Gwendolyn Brooks, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1993 The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now. Red means “stop” and green means “go.” Can you tell me what my dream means? What was meant by the poet? Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context. He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment. It's a very easy question. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should be able to answer it. She's not getting any thinner, if you know what I mean. She says she didn't mean anything by what she did. I don't trust him. He means no good. Adjective (1) For thirty years he had been a ruthless litigator, the meanest, nastiest, and without a doubt one of the most effective courtroom brawlers in Chicago. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995 … the streets of Spanish Harlem are meaner than when he left them, and they're pulling him back in. —Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 1993 … what you discover is the one with the tail was old mean landlord Mr. prosperous Prospero who wielded without thought of God or man the merry old cat-o'-nine-tails … —Darryl Pinckney, Times Literary Supplement, 23 Aug. 1991 Creighton Abrams was a tanker, according to George Patton the meanest tanker the Germans had faced in the whole U.S. Third Army, and he had a temper that matched the fearsome machines he loved. —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988 Noun Take all these temperatures and calculate their mean. trying to find a golden mean between doing too little and doing too much See More Recent Examples on the WebFortune Well, 21 Feb. 2023 Felines and their owners flocked to the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry on Saturday, which could mean only one thing -- the annual all-breed cat show, was back in town. —Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2023 Love: That of course does not mean that every relationship is a happy one. —Shayla Love, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2023 While most guys default to the same stodgy penguin suit for big occasions, some are realizing that dressy needn’t mean dull. —Todd Plummer, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 But that doesn't necessarily mean that people are going to want to work more than a certain number of hours. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 17 Feb. 2023 Look for metal frames which often mean a heavier, more stable construction. —Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 The Heat currently are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern conference playoff race, which would mean having to play in the play-in tournament in order to advance to the best-of-seven opening round of the playoffs. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023 Tiny living can mean different things to different people. —Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 16 Feb. 2023 See More
Verb
What the numbers mean Blood pressure is reported with two numbers. —Fortune Well, 21 Feb. 2023 Felines and their owners flocked to the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry on Saturday, which could mean only one thing -- the annual all-breed cat show, was back in town. —Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2023 Love: That of course does not mean that every relationship is a happy one. —Shayla Love, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2023 While most guys default to the same stodgy penguin suit for big occasions, some are realizing that dressy needn’t mean dull. —Todd Plummer, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023 But that doesn't necessarily mean that people are going to want to work more than a certain number of hours. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 17 Feb. 2023 Look for metal frames which often mean a heavier, more stable construction. —Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 The Heat currently are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern conference playoff race, which would mean having to play in the play-in tournament in order to advance to the best-of-seven opening round of the playoffs. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023 Tiny living can mean different things to different people. —Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 16 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English menen, from Old English mǣnan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavonic měniti to mention
Adjective (1)
Middle English mene, from imene common, shared, from Old English gemǣne; akin to Old High German gimeini common, Latin communis common, munus service, gift, Sanskrit mayate he exchanges
Adjective (2) and Noun
Middle English mene, from Anglo-French mene, meiene, from Latin medianus — more at median
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Adjective (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Phrases Containing mean
Kids Definition
mean
1 of 4 adjective ˈmēn
1
: lacking distinction or prominence : humble
2
: of poor, shabby, or inferior quality or status
lives in mean surroundings
3
: worthy of little regard : inferior —often used in negative constructions as a term of praise
a person of no mean ability
4
: deliberately unkind
5
: stingy sense 1, miserly
6
: spiteful, malicious
a mean remark
7
: causing trouble or bother
a mean horse
8
: excellent
plays a mean trumpet
meanly adverb
meanness noun
ˈmēn-nəs
mean
2 of 4 verb ˈmēn
meant
ˈment
; meaning ˈmē-niŋ
1
a
: to have as a purpose : intend
I mean to go
b
: to intend for a particular purpose or use
a book meant for children
2
: to serve to communicate, show, or indicate : signify
what do these words mean
those clouds mean rain
3
: to be important to a specified degree
health means everything to us
mean
3 of 4 adjective1
: holding a middle position : intermediate
2
a
: lying about midway between extremes
b
: being the mean of a set of values : average
mean temperature
mean
4 of 4 noun1
: a middle point between extremes
2
a
: a value that represents a range of values
especially : arithmetic mean
b
: either of the middle two terms of a proportion
3
plural : something by which a desired result is achieved or furthered
means of production
use any means you can
4
plural : wealth sense 1
a person of means
mean 1 of 4
verb
1
as in to signify
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind the national anthem means various things to various people Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- signify
- imply
- denote
- indicate
- intend
- suggest
- spell
- explain
- express
- infer
- import
- connote
- represent
- symbolize
- mention
- hint
- symbol
- specify
- personify
- embody
- announce
- epitomize
- insinuate
- signal
- intimate
- proclaim
- cite
- elucidate
- instance
- designate
- allude (to)
- advert
- amount (to)
- point (to)
- add up (to)
- declare
- touch (on or upon)
- refer (to)
2
as in to matter
to be of importance your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me Synonyms & Similar Words
- matter
- weigh
- signify
- affect
- count
- cut ice
- carry weight
- import
- influence
- concern
- sway
- amount (to)
- add up (to)
3
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I mean to win this race Synonyms & Similar Words
- intend
- plan
- hope
- look
- wish
- aim
- contemplate
- go
- purport
- try
- propose
- calculate
- purpose
- aspire
- consider
- allow
- design
- figure on
- attempt
- meditate
- dream
- struggle
- effect
- strive
- ponder
- accomplish
- debate
- achieve
- endeavor
- scheme
- plot
- perform
- mull (over)
- execute
4
as in to indicate
to serve as a sign or symptom of these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived Synonyms & Similar Words
- indicate
- signify
- denote
- betoken
- bode
- presage
- point (to)
- tell (of)
- foreshow
- foretell
- bespeak
mean
2 of 4noun
1
as in middle
a middle point between extremes that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for Synonyms & Similar Words
- middle
- golden mean
- average
- norm
- midpoint
- middle ground
- middle of the road
- arithmetic mean
- median
- medium
- standard
- par
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- maximum
- minimum
- utmost
2
as in doing
means plural an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result won the competition by fair and honest means Synonyms & Similar Words
- doing
- measure
- move
- success
- activity
- feat
- project
- shift
- course
- process
- accomplishment
- action
- work
- event
- act
- step
- expedient
- achievement
- while
- business
- try
- effort
- proceeding
- procedure
- initiative
- dealing
- attempt
- go
- thing
- proposal
- operation
- endeavor
- deed
- pass
- undertaking
- affair
- exploit
- triumph
- trouble
- crack
- coup
- proposition
- enterprise
- essay
- stab
- attainment
- whack
- pains
- resource
- labor
- exertion
- resort
- counterstep
- shot
- fling
- trial
- countermeasure
- stopgap
- countermove
- makeshift
3
as in cause
means plural something used to achieve an end the ends don't justify the means Synonyms & Similar Words
- cause
- ministry
- organ
- agency
- reason
- vehicle
- machinery
- factor
- instrumentality
- influence
- instrument
- occasion
- agent
- tool
- power
- medium
- incentive
- activator
- generator
- determinant
- mechanism
- ingredient
- impetus
- stimulus
- expedient
- antecedent
- weapon
- trigger
- driver
- animator
- inspiration
- catalyst
- instigator
- executor
- instigation
- mover
- energizer
- launcher
- subagent
- subagency
4
as in worth
means plural the total of one's money and property a woman of considerable means Synonyms & Similar Words
- worth
- wealth
- riches
- things
- fortune
- money
- effects
- assets
- success
- prosperity
- capital
- possessions
- substance
- wherewithal
- funds
- opulence
- resources
- abundance
- property
- finances
- belongings
- personal property
- treasure
- affluence
- holdings
- wallet
- chattels
- acquisition
- savings
- deep pockets
- nest egg
- valuables
- bankroll
- accession
- paraphernalia
- personalty
- treasury
- reserve
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liabilities
- debts
- indebtedness
mean
3 of 4adjective (1)
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size for the state of Florida, what is the mean number of sunny days per month? Synonyms & Similar Words
- average
- median
- typical
- moderate
- reasonable
- middle
- modest
- normal
- medium
- intermediate
- standard
- usual
- middling
- adequate
- midsized
- tolerable
- midsize
- conventional
- commonplace
- common
- regular
- routine
- popular
- passable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extreme
- excessive
- strange
- unusual
- rare
- special
- uncommon
- exceptional
- individual
- unique
- distinctive
- peculiar
- private
- idiosyncratic
mean
4 of 4adjective (2)
1
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank Alexander Hamilton seems to have had feelings of inferiority because of his mean origins Synonyms & Similar Words
- low
- common
- inferior
- plebeian
- humble
- poor
- vulgar
- prole
- ignoble
- lowly
- proletarian
- lumpen
- unwashed
- simple
- low-life
- baseborn
- plain
- lower-class
- bourgeois
- lowborn
- déclassé
- downscale
- middle-class
- working-class
- down-market
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- great
- high
- noble
- lofty
- gentle
- grand
- aristocratic
- patrician
- genteel
- notable
- highborn
- prominent
- eminent
- highbred
- illustrious
- upper-class
- upper-crust
- blue-blooded
- wellborn
2
as in careful
giving or sharing as little as possible a mean child who hoarded all her toys Synonyms & Similar Words
- careful
- selfish
- close
- greedy
- miserly
- uncharitable
- ungenerous
- stingy
- parsimonious
- pinching
- mingy
- niggard
- niggardly
- desirous
- sparing
- pinchpenny
- cheap
- chintzy
- tight
- closefisted
- stinting
- spare
- conserving
- saving
- economizing
- tightfisted
- penurious
- small
- begrudging
- economical
- coveting
- penny-pinching
- skimping
- envious
- grasping
- grudging
- avaricious
- mercenary
- thrifty
- covetous
- shabby
- scrimping
- resentful
- sordid
- hoggish
- frugal
- itchy
- chary
- avid
- rapacious
- inhospitable
- acquisitive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- generous
- liberal
- charitable
- bountiful
- bounteous
- altruistic
- selfless
- unselfish
- munificent
- handsome
- extravagant
- free
- benevolent
- beneficent
- openhanded
- unsparing
- magnanimous
- unstinting
- kindly
- humanitarian
- lavish
- overgenerous
- profuse
- hospitable
- freehanded
- wasting
- philanthropic
- compassionate
- wasteful
- greathearted
- prodigal
- philanthropical
- unthrifty
- profligate
- openhearted
- squandering
- spendthrift
- good-hearted
- dissipating
- thriftless
- splurging
- frittering
3
as in cruel
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery Synonyms & Similar Words
- cruel
- malicious
- hateful
- vicious
- bad
- nasty
- spiteful
- bitchy
- jealous
- despiteful
- malignant
- malign
- malevolent
- bitter
- harsh
- evil
- obnoxious
- venomous
- catty
- virulent
- poisonous
- vindictive
- unkind
- envious
- disparaging
- resentful
- derogatory
- unkindly
- scoundrelly
- disdainful
- scurvy
- hostile
- contemptuous
- snotty
- snide
- deprecating
- devious
- snakelike
- mean-spirited
- baneful
- scornful
- inimical
- unloving
- baleful
- jaundiced
- acrimonious
- vitriolic
- rancorous
- caustic
- opprobrious
- acrid
- scathing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- good
- kind
- loving
- benign
- benevolent
- sympathetic
- kindly
- nice
- warm
- benignant
- kindhearted
- unmalicious
- agreeable
- pleasant
- compassionate
- sweet
- friendly
- gracious
- amiable
- affable
- genial
- cordial
- affectionate
- amorous
- good-hearted
- tender
- warmhearted
- noble
- magnanimous
- humane
- altruistic
- humanitarian
- tenderhearted
- philanthropic
- high-minded
- philanthropical
4
as in nasty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency a mean trick to play on a trusting person Synonyms & Similar Words
- nasty
- dirty
- vile
- cruel
- bad
- immoral
- wrong
- contemptible
- vicious
- detestable
- corrupt
- evil
- dishonorable
- despicable
- snide
- ignoble
- base
- wretched
- sordid
- ignominious
- low
- paltry
- execrable
- wicked
- currish
- low-minded
- low-down
- foul
- iniquitous
- perverted
- shameful
- disgraceful
- degenerate
- reprehensible
- miscreant
- depraved
- blameworthy
- blamable
- atrocious
- debased
- unworthy
- censurable
- unethical
- discreditable
- villainous
- unprincipled
- disreputable
- dissolute
- unscrupulous
- debauched
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- just
- high
- straight
- noble
- honorable
- right
- virtuous
- good
- lofty
- venerable
- honest
- ethical
- moral
- righteous
- scrupulous
- excellent
- upright
- proper
- commendable
- decent
- exemplary
- respectable
- seemly
- high-minded
- reputable
- principled
- right-minded
- blameless
- guiltless
- irreproachable
- incorruptible
- unerring
- uncorrupted
5
as in inferior
of little or less value or merit it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem Synonyms & Similar Words
- inferior
- minor
- smaller
- secondary
- average
- smaller
- ordinary
- lesser
- under
- wrong
- petty
- lower
- unacceptable
- inadequate
- second-class
- second-rate
- subordinate
- bad
- unsatisfactory
- insufficient
- common
- amiss
- fair
- deficient
- junior
- defective
- middling
- low-level
- littler
- slighter
- jerkwater
- two-bit
- low-rent
- one-horse
- small-time
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- greater
- higher
- more
- superior
- major
- primary
- acceptable
- sufficient
- senior
- select
- choice
- exceptional
- adequate
- prime
- premium
- selected
- high-grade
- first-class
- first-rate
6
as in awesome
of the very best kind I'm a mean dancer, so you could do worse than go to the prom with me Synonyms & Similar Words
- awesome
- great
- wonderful
- excellent
- terrific
- lovely
- beautiful
- fantastic
- fabulous
- fine
- stellar
- superb
- marvelous
- prime
- hot
- quality
- cool
- brag
- neat
- famous
- classic
- too much
- divine
- choice
- marvellous
- good
- heavenly
- swell
- brave
- dandy
- bully
- superior
- keen
- immense
- number one
- grand
- cracking
- slick
- exceptional
- gone
- sensational
- par excellence
- superlative
- radical
- noble
- top
- prize
- better
- capital
- groovy
- gangbusters
- dope
- nifty
- splendid
- banner
- acceptable
- sterling
- fab
- hype
- topping
- boss
- numero uno
- down
- peachy
- unsurpassed
- dynamite
- bumper
- wizard
- primo
- righteous
- decent
- gangbuster
- A-OK
- frontline
- crackerjack
- fantabulous
- boffo
- out of this world
- all right
- bonny
- corking
- special
- adequate
- phat
- prizewinning
- satisfactory
- peachy keen
- okay
- supernal
- high-class
- fancy
- topflight
- bang-up
- bonnie
- jim-dandy
- tolerable
- top-shelf
- top-notch
- tip-top
- first-class
- traditional
- classical
- first-rate
- top-of-the-line
- OK
- five-star
- out-of-sight
- standard
- select
- first-string
- blue-chip
- gilt-edge
- premium
- No. 1
- passable
- four-star
- gilt-edged
- blue-ribbon
- A1
- superfine
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- awful
- poor
- pathetic
- bad
- lousy
- atrocious
- vile
- wretched
- rotten
- inferior
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- substandard
- mediocre
- low-grade
- middling
- second-rate
- second-class
7
as in neglected
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth Synonyms & Similar Words
- neglected
- dilapidated
- tired
- miserable
- abandoned
- scruffy
- tacky
- mangy
- shabby
- ruined
- dumpy
- down-at-the-heel
- tatty
- desolate
- scrubby
- broken
- tatterdemalion
- sleazy
- ragged
- grungy
- tattered
- down-at-heels
- tumbledown
- hurt
- seedy
- gone to seed
- timeworn
- damaged
- ratty
- deteriorated
- down-at-heel
- wrecked
- run-down
- beat-up
- threadbare
- unkept
- deteriorating
- godforsaken
- bombed-out
- down-at-the-heels
- destroyed
- dog-eared
- decrepit
- harmed
- impaired
- moth-eaten
- forlorn
- decaying
- injured
- dingy
- bedraggled
- ramshackle
- rattletrap
- rickety
- rackety
- broken-down
- worn-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- new
- fresh
- maintained
- reconstructed
- smart
- mended
- spiffy
- brand-new
- patched
- spruce
- rebuilt
- cared-for
- kept-up
8
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust that was no mean stunt to pull off, especially with so little advance preparation Synonyms & Similar Words
- lame
- pitiful
- sorry
- dirty
- cheap
- nasty
- hateful
- disgusting
- wretched
- sneaking
- contemptible
- pitiable
- vile
- despicable
- lousy
- deplorable
- scurvy
- scabby
- paltry
- disgraceful
- grubby
- abhorrent
- scummy
- shameful
- abominable
- ratty
- loathsome
- detestable
- odious
- repugnant
- cruddy
- repulsive
- revolting
- condemnable
- craven
- dishonorable
- discreditable
- disreputable
- execrable
- base
- ignoble
- ignominious
- shabby
- reprehensible
- sordid
- reptilian
- cowardly
- dastardly
- unethical
- low
- unprincipled
- revulsive
- unscrupulous
- squalid
- blamable
- reproachable
- censurable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- laudable
- commendable
- praiseworthy
- creditable
- meritorious
- honest
- good
- right
- honorable
- noble
- scrupulous
- redoubtable
- reputable
- moral
- virtuous
- upright
- ethical
- righteous
- principled
- high-minded
- right-minded
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of mean are average, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.
a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°
Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.
scored an average of 85 on tests
While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.
average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars
The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.
scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic